South Korean President Accepts Defense Minister's Resignation

seoul - South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has accepted the resignation of Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and appointed Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Choi Byung-hyuk, as the new Defense Minister, according to Yonhap news agency.

President Yoon's office has confirmed the nomination of Choi, a former general, as the new Defense Minister.

Kim tendered his resignation following the failed declaration of a military state of emergency by the president. His ministry had earlier confirmed that Kim had proposed the state of emergency to President Yoon. The state of emergency was declared on Tuesday to 'protect the country from the threat of communist North Korean forces.' Yoon had to retract it as parliament voted to lift the measure.